Advice? Lots of ??s

[brighteyes]

I went last year to WDW for 10 days which was really only like 8 with two days gone on travel. It wasn't enough time and I want to go back.

I am a single mom with a DS 12 who just started college full time this year, and i think t he stress is getting to me, cause i have been obsessing about going back to disney. Have to get back to the homework again.

I would want to go for two weeks to give us some down time. My son likes the character meals and sci-fi and 50's, I do not feel that the new DDP is worth it, however i thought that i could do a split stay 1/2 on the DDP and the other half just pay OOP and do CS so we're not tied to ADR's.

Can I book a split stay and one of my stays book a package with DDP and 10 day tickets even though that 1st stay is only for seven days? The second portion of it be just room only?

I am also wondering if getting an AP is worth it to try to get a room discount, but it is not guaranteed. Has anyone done this?

The other option is to join CAA and take advantage of their discount.

Now back to the homework. TIA for all your opinions and advice.

Stephanie

 

[dancin Disney style]

I have a similar situation. We enjoyed free dining last summer and DH now wants to do all the restaurants for our next trip, also 2 weeks.

I have debated dividing my reservation in two, which yes you can do. At this time I've decided not to go that route. I have booked my room with the CAA discount and will book 4 or 5 TS dinners and just pay OOP. We are going June 28-July 12 and I received a 10% discount which amounted to $175. My CAA membership only cost $65 per year so if you go with that it's worthwhile.

Getting an AP just for the room discount may or may not work in your favour. If you plan to stay 2 weeks and go to the parks every day than an AP is your best option for admission. In that case the possible room discount would just be a bonus. The AP room rates don't come out very far in advance so my suggestion would be to book a room only to have the flexibility to change/cancel and then hope for an AP discount.

 

[brighteyes]

Thanks for your reply. I am on tight budget but saving everything I can right now. I want to go back so badly but would rather do one long trip than two short ones.

Depending upon if I am in college next fall or not full time, I may go at the last week of August and the first week in September. I would book two room only ressies, and if free dining comes out for the last half of the trip, then great!!. If not I can make one half a package or just pay OOP for food.

I have not added all my receipts from the DDP last year but with tip not included now it might not be cheaper. Just for LeCellier, Primetime, Sci-fi, one buffet, chef's mickey's, lilo and stitch breakfast the total was 381.00 or so. That's is still not counting donald's breakfast, The Luau, and many CS meals at POP. So I am not sure if we came out ahead or not on the DDP. I believe it cost me 700 or so US for the DDP.

When I get ambitous I will check the POP prices online and see if I broke even, came out ahead or the DDP cost me more.

Stephanie

 

[dancin Disney style]

Tight budget.....I hear ya!!!!!

I have spent an obscene amount of time online researching discounts and such. So now I think I'm an expert.

We went in August 07' and got the free dining. Before we left we were offered the bounceback for August 08'. It didn't start until August 30th so if that date works for you, there is a chance. Last year it was supposedly only for the free diners from the year before and UK visitors. Low and behold it was opened up to the general public in April. Just cross your fingers and toes.

If you end up getting an AP you can purchase the DDE....my research gives me the impression that it's better than the DDP (unless you get it for free of course).

 

[brighteyes]

Well by April I should know if I am into my chosen program for the fall or not, unless I am placed on a wait list which i hope does not happen. If i do not get into my program our trip may come THIS summer with free dining!!

If i do get in we will have to wait another year and go in summer.

If AP rates come out, can i book the AP rate, then by my AP pass at the same time through disney? I am assuming no. Cause I would hate to buy the AP and not get a discount on a room.

I'm so confused, I just know I cannot concentrate on my homework cause all I am thinking about is DISNEY!!!

Steph

 

[dancin Disney style]

If AP rates come out, can i book the AP rate, then by my AP pass at the same time through disney? I am assuming no. Cause I would hate to buy the AP and not get a discount on a room.

You can book the AP rate for your room without having it in hand. However, you must present the AP at check-in.

 

[ABCanada]

Food
If you go with the AP consider the DDE card (Disney dining experience). It is $65 and gives you at 20% discount on food and beverages at most TS and some CS. We found the DDP encouraged you to eat too much food. With the DDE we sometimes just ordered the entree and others an appetizer and dessert. For us it is less expensive than the DDP.

Accommodation
You may want to look at renting DVC points for accommodation. See the renting thread under DVC. Depending on your timing you can get a room for $90 to $130 for Sun to Thurs nights and $190 to $310 for Fri and Sat nights. Since there are no taxes on top of this it is generally less expensive than the values. There are risks associated with renting and while the rooms are nicer the service differs. The DVC threads can give you more on this.

 

[brighteyes]

Great, so I can book a room at the AP rate and not have one yet???!!! This could be dangerous and entice me to go to Disney again the next year

I checked out the DVC board and I don't understand the renting points deal??
It was very confusing for me to read, and understand that sometimes it can not work in your favour that someone is not honest.

But the DVC rentals are they at the delux resorts or mods? I am not really understanding the whole thing. All I saw on the boards was the point for rent and $--- per point I don't understand how many points I would need to rent. And if I stay at DVC is there transportation to the parks, do u get the same perks as if staying at POP??

Uhhh, so many questions....

Stephanie

 

[ABCanada]

Resorts are basically deluxe (i.e. BC, WL, AK, BW) without daily towel and cleaning service. Trash and towels on day four, linen changed on day seven. Most have one queen bed and a sofa bed. The sofa bed is comfortable. There is a DVC section, see tabs on home page, that describes each of the resorts inlcuding points required.

There are risks associated with renting and I have not done it myself. There are a number of threads that discuss how to reduce the risk. They are linked from the sticky on the DVC rental page.

 

[brighteyes]

Resorts are basically deluxe (i.e. BC, WL, AK, BW) without daily towel and cleaning service. Trash and towels on day four, linen changed on day seven. Most have one queen bed and a sofa bed. The sofa bed is comfortable. There is a DVC section, see tabs on home page, that describes each of the resorts inlcuding points required.

There are risks associated with renting and I have not done it myself. There are a number of threads that discuss how to reduce the risk. They are linked from the sticky on the DVC rental page.

I checked out the DVC and it is not in my budget. I think I will stick with POP at an CAA rate or AP rate if I get one. If I do not get an AP then I will just stick to the 10 PH.

With all these obsessions with a 40% off code I am hoping I will get one too. Even though I am not planning to go till next summer.

If I get an AP, can I book only a room for myself or can I book a room for my friend at the AP rate if she goes the same time as I do?

Stephanie

 

[ABCanada]

You used to be able to get two rooms with one annual pass. I understand this has changed and the annual passholder must be in the room so one room per pass.
There was a discussion on this on the resort page.

 

[brighteyes]

Thank You.

Just trying to spread the magic if I go using an AP.

Ah well time to stop obsessing about WDW and discounts and codes.

Time to get back to the homework

Thank You for all your help.

I will let you know what I decide to do.

Stephanie

 

[dancin Disney style]

You used to be able to get two rooms with one annual pass. I understand this has changed and the annual passholder must be in the room so one room per pass.
There was a discussion on this on the resort page.

I'm not sure if the suites are included or not but....how about an ASMu family suite. Would that work for you and your friend?

 

[brighteyes]

Well depending if she can pull together the rest of the $$ for the trip, we are both single moms. I am in college full time, but am working at the same time, so trying to save what i earn from my job for this trip.

She is trying to go back to school for nursing, so we will see, but I think everyone should go to WDW at least once.

I will check out the prices, I think I priced them on my last trip with my other friend and it was more cost eff to just get two rooms at POP. I will check it out again though, thanks for the advice.

Stephanie

 

[brighteyes]

I don't see a price for the family suites on WDW website.

Can anyone help me out? Or do I have to call?

Stephanie